When Hong Kong was handed to China in 1997, it was promised the first democratic elections to take place in 2017.

But in August, Beijing revealed that while the people of Hong Kong would be allowed to elect their Chief Executive, the candidates would have to be approved by Beijing - a stab in the back of true Democracy.

Yet not everybody in Hong Kong society supports the idea of Democracy. Pro-Beijing groups support the Chinese government's agenda in Hong Kong.

And the large number of people sitting on the fence are slowly becoming content with the fate of the region to its Communist neighbour.

What those people may not realise is how Chinese rule could change Hong Kong.

National minority 'problem'

China is home to 56 different ethnic groups, each with their own distinct language and culture. While Han people make up around 90% of the population, there are significant numbers of Zhuang (16 million), Manchu (10.6 million), Hui (10 million), Uyghur (11.2 million) and Tibetans (6 million).

In China, Tibetans, Uyghur people and members of Falun Gong are thought to be 'splittists'.

Since the 90's, members of the spiritual movement, Falun Gong, have been subject to detention, forced labour and even torture.

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, has long been vocal about his belief in Tibet's self-determination. Though he escaped violence in 1959, those who continue to show support for him are severely punished.